No Same-Sex Marriage Initiative

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Pete Springer/OPB

Advocacy group Basic Rights Oregon (BRO) has decided not to try for a repeal of the state’s ban on same-sex marriage in 2012. Earlier this year, the group launched a television ad campaign to promote the idea of same-sex marriage. Last month, phone bank volunteers for BRO called thousands of Oregonians to talk to them about the issue. The group has also collected polling data and held public forums. On Wednesday, Basic Rights Oregon announced that it would not pursue a ballot initiative to legalize same-sex marriage in Oregon. The board of directors released a statement explaining their position:

Several factors, including the expense of waging a statewide political campaign in the midst of an economic crisis, led us to conclude that we are better off extending our education campaign and building momentum for a later election.

Do you support same-sex marriage? How do you feel about Basic Rights Oregon’s decision? What’s the best way to take the state’s political temperature on a specific issue?